Ken McDonagh
@kenmcdonagh.bsky.social
Associate Prof in IR, DCU, research EU security & defence, occasional runner, dad of triplets, mo thuairim fèin
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
On the one hand I think there are several structural factors that have brought Orbán to a reckoning; on the other, I choose to believe the prospect of a re-democratisation of Hungary is down to Troy Parrott.
Irish striker’s late goal ended Hungary’s campaign and punctured the prime minister’s expensive sporting vision
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
February 13, 2026 at 8:14 AM
On the one hand I think there are several structural factors that have brought Orbán to a reckoning; on the other, I choose to believe the prospect of a re-democratisation of Hungary is down to Troy Parrott.
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Winds of change, Zeitenwende, etc:
Europe has changed.
Poll finds clear majorities for increasing defence spending and a European nuclear deterrent.
Source ecfr.eu/publication/...
Europe has changed.
Poll finds clear majorities for increasing defence spending and a European nuclear deterrent.
Source ecfr.eu/publication/...
February 12, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Winds of change, Zeitenwende, etc:
Europe has changed.
Poll finds clear majorities for increasing defence spending and a European nuclear deterrent.
Source ecfr.eu/publication/...
Europe has changed.
Poll finds clear majorities for increasing defence spending and a European nuclear deterrent.
Source ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Anyone spot a cyclist (me) knocked off her bike along the canal at drimnagh today by someone who drove away? If you got a reg I’d love the help to report them! @ibike.ie
February 12, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Anyone spot a cyclist (me) knocked off her bike along the canal at drimnagh today by someone who drove away? If you got a reg I’d love the help to report them! @ibike.ie
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Heraskevych’s choice to forfeit the medal chance instead of give up the memorial helmet is the biggest story in Ukraine today. Everyone is heartbroken but there is a unanimous consensus that this was what had to happen rather than to give up.
February 12, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Heraskevych’s choice to forfeit the medal chance instead of give up the memorial helmet is the biggest story in Ukraine today. Everyone is heartbroken but there is a unanimous consensus that this was what had to happen rather than to give up.
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
right, so, some quite insane professional news from me: last month I went to Paris to interview Gisèle Pelicot about what happened to her, and what her life looks like now - out in print on Sunday
February 12, 2026 at 2:46 PM
right, so, some quite insane professional news from me: last month I went to Paris to interview Gisèle Pelicot about what happened to her, and what her life looks like now - out in print on Sunday
Someone please do this for newspapers!
February 12, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Someone please do this for newspapers!
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Just a reminder about how dangerous SUVs are.
Interesting that XL Bully dogs have been banned, actual living beings, but SUVs have not.
www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
Interesting that XL Bully dogs have been banned, actual living beings, but SUVs have not.
www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
Study: Kids twice as likely to die if hit by SUV than car
Pedestrians and cyclists are 44% more likely to die if they are hit by an SUV or similar-sized vehicle rather than a traditional car, a study has found.
www.rte.ie
February 11, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Just a reminder about how dangerous SUVs are.
Interesting that XL Bully dogs have been banned, actual living beings, but SUVs have not.
www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
Interesting that XL Bully dogs have been banned, actual living beings, but SUVs have not.
www.rte.ie/news/world/2...
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Russia is not winning this war.
Its casualty rates are surging, and its economy is struggling.
Today, Ministers will discuss how we can further support Ukraine.
On the table are proposals to establish two training facilities inside Ukraine and to mobilise additional private capital.
Its casualty rates are surging, and its economy is struggling.
Today, Ministers will discuss how we can further support Ukraine.
On the table are proposals to establish two training facilities inside Ukraine and to mobilise additional private capital.
February 11, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Russia is not winning this war.
Its casualty rates are surging, and its economy is struggling.
Today, Ministers will discuss how we can further support Ukraine.
On the table are proposals to establish two training facilities inside Ukraine and to mobilise additional private capital.
Its casualty rates are surging, and its economy is struggling.
Today, Ministers will discuss how we can further support Ukraine.
On the table are proposals to establish two training facilities inside Ukraine and to mobilise additional private capital.
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Power cuts in a Co Clare town have been caused by woodpeckers pecking electricity poles and not a faulty transformer or storms
Woodpeckers knock out power in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare
Power cuts in a Co Clare town have been caused by woodpeckers pecking electricity poles and not a faulty transformer or storms.
www.rte.ie
February 11, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Power cuts in a Co Clare town have been caused by woodpeckers pecking electricity poles and not a faulty transformer or storms
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
it is an active choice by the press to frame this overt white supremacist (who literally just bought an autocratic government and killed hundreds of thousands of people) as a serious and credible person making serious and credible promises
February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
it is an active choice by the press to frame this overt white supremacist (who literally just bought an autocratic government and killed hundreds of thousands of people) as a serious and credible person making serious and credible promises
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Why did a riot happen at the Abbey Theatre 100 years ago today?
Piece by DCU's Prof Eugene McNulty @yesthewholebook.bsky.social for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social.
Read more: launch.dcu.ie/45XlaGX
#RTEBrainstorm
Piece by DCU's Prof Eugene McNulty @yesthewholebook.bsky.social for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social.
Read more: launch.dcu.ie/45XlaGX
#RTEBrainstorm
February 11, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Why did a riot happen at the Abbey Theatre 100 years ago today?
Piece by DCU's Prof Eugene McNulty @yesthewholebook.bsky.social for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social.
Read more: launch.dcu.ie/45XlaGX
#RTEBrainstorm
Piece by DCU's Prof Eugene McNulty @yesthewholebook.bsky.social for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social.
Read more: launch.dcu.ie/45XlaGX
#RTEBrainstorm
A person I share an employer with is being vile on the internet today, so I think it's important that I (& hopefully other @dublincityuni.bsky.social colleagues) state loudly & clearly that our trans colleagues & students are welcome & supported in DCU. Those views do not represent the DCU community
February 11, 2026 at 2:46 PM
A person I share an employer with is being vile on the internet today, so I think it's important that I (& hopefully other @dublincityuni.bsky.social colleagues) state loudly & clearly that our trans colleagues & students are welcome & supported in DCU. Those views do not represent the DCU community
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Panel discussion next Wednesday (18th Feb) at 14.00 in @dublincityuni.bsky.social looking at US intervention in Venezuela and Greenland. Room CG04. Speakers include Dr Eleanor Williams, @drandrewforde.bsky.social, @kenmcdonagh.bsky.social, Prof Gary Murphy, and @waltkilroy.bsky.social
February 10, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Panel discussion next Wednesday (18th Feb) at 14.00 in @dublincityuni.bsky.social looking at US intervention in Venezuela and Greenland. Room CG04. Speakers include Dr Eleanor Williams, @drandrewforde.bsky.social, @kenmcdonagh.bsky.social, Prof Gary Murphy, and @waltkilroy.bsky.social
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
It’s that time of year. One of the most useful annual reviews of Russia.
www.valisluureamet.ee/en.html
www.valisluureamet.ee/en.html
Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service
Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service
www.valisluureamet.ee
February 10, 2026 at 1:35 PM
It’s that time of year. One of the most useful annual reviews of Russia.
www.valisluureamet.ee/en.html
www.valisluureamet.ee/en.html
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Typical, if you win a Oscar, you're an Irishman in the papers, but if you are a key member of the downfall of the British Prime Minster, suddenly it's Corkman this, Corkman that!
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Typical, if you win a Oscar, you're an Irishman in the papers, but if you are a key member of the downfall of the British Prime Minster, suddenly it's Corkman this, Corkman that!
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Finally got around to writing a convenient summary of our article 'Creating certainty where there is none'. If the short version just isn't doing it for you, you can find the full article in all its glory here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
February 9, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Finally got around to writing a convenient summary of our article 'Creating certainty where there is none'. If the short version just isn't doing it for you, you can find the full article in all its glory here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Friends! Do you teach/ design assessments in humanities subjects that tend to engage writing as a form of assessment? Have you been exploring new ways of doing this in an age of ChatGPT rather than returning to exams? If you would like to share your experiences in UL in April, please let me know!
February 9, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Friends! Do you teach/ design assessments in humanities subjects that tend to engage writing as a form of assessment? Have you been exploring new ways of doing this in an age of ChatGPT rather than returning to exams? If you would like to share your experiences in UL in April, please let me know!
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:09 AM
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Having lived in the Netherlands for 7 years - cycling close to every single day of that - what keeps cyclists safe is great cycle path design, the fact that every driver also cycled and the fact that if a car hits a cyclist the fault lies with the driver.
February 5, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Having lived in the Netherlands for 7 years - cycling close to every single day of that - what keeps cyclists safe is great cycle path design, the fact that every driver also cycled and the fact that if a car hits a cyclist the fault lies with the driver.
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
"Governments can buy into the zero-sum thinking of the far-right and retreat into isolation, scarcity, selfishness and decline. Or they can harness the very same forces that, not without difficulties, have allowed our societies to thrive for centuries."
Go Spain! 🇪🇸🇪🇺👏
Go Spain! 🇪🇸🇪🇺👏
February 6, 2026 at 7:32 AM
"Governments can buy into the zero-sum thinking of the far-right and retreat into isolation, scarcity, selfishness and decline. Or they can harness the very same forces that, not without difficulties, have allowed our societies to thrive for centuries."
Go Spain! 🇪🇸🇪🇺👏
Go Spain! 🇪🇸🇪🇺👏
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Remember the controversy when Obama was accused of intervening in UK politics? This is the current US government openly seeking to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
February 6, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Remember the controversy when Obama was accused of intervening in UK politics? This is the current US government openly seeking to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
Reposted by Ken McDonagh
Ok. You're right. But why stop at cyclists? Let's make pedestrians wear high-vis and helmets too! It's safer right? Actually, let's make absolutely everyone wear high-vis and helmets at all times everywhere (except people in cars obviously!) so people driving cars feel better
February 5, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Ok. You're right. But why stop at cyclists? Let's make pedestrians wear high-vis and helmets too! It's safer right? Actually, let's make absolutely everyone wear high-vis and helmets at all times everywhere (except people in cars obviously!) so people driving cars feel better